The school I went to had a tradition carried out every year during the eighth-grade graduation: a beautiful gold and green jacket (the school colors) was awarded to the student who had maintained the highest grades for eight years.
I was fourteen and in the eighth grade. I had been a straight-A student since the first grade and this last year had looked forward very much to owning that jacket. My family was so poor that, when I was six, I was given to my grandparents to raise. I couldn’t participate in sports at school because we couldn’t afford the fees; even though I was quite athletic, there would never be a school sports jacket for me. So, this one, the scholarship jacket, was my only chance.
One day in May, close to graduation, outside the history teacher’s classroom, I heard a fierce argument between the principal and my history teacher, Mr. Frank, about giving the scholarship jacket to Joann, whose father is on the Board and owns the only store in town. Frank angrily claimed that he would never lie or falsify (伪造) records.
The principal approached me tentatively: “Martha, there’s been a change in policy this year. The Board has decided to charge fifteen dollars for the scholarship jacket this year. So if you are unable to pay the fifteen dollars for the jacket it will be given to the next one in line.” Staring at him in shock, I didn’t need to ask who that was.
“I’ll speak to my grandfather and let you know tomorrow,” I gathered all the dignity. I cried on the walk home from the bus stop. I wanted that jacket so much. It represented eight years of hard work and expectation.
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Upon arriving home, I told my grandpa what had happened. The next day, the principal called me to his office. |
参考答案
Upon arriving home, I told my grandpa what had happened. He cleared his throat and asked seriously,“What does ascholarship jacket mean?” I tried to convey what it meant by describing its symbolic meaning and expressing how much I loved it. Grandpa’s response, however, was a firm refusal. “Then if you pay for it,Martha,it’s not a scholarship jacket,is it?Tell your principal I will not pay the fifteen dollars.”Disappointed and upset, I hurried to my room where I locked myself in and cried for a long time.
The next day, the principal called me to his office. When I came in, he smiled at me, which I didn’t expect to see, and said, “Martha, the jacket is yours for free. Congratulations! I also owe you an apology. As your grandpa mentioned, the green jacket should rightfully belong to the student with the highest grades for 8 years.” Lost in thought, I couldn’t recall leaving the office, as my mind replayed the scenes of my grandpa’s confrontation with the principal. Each time I wore the jacket, a deep sense of respect for my grandpa welled up within me. Fairness is worth more than honour!
